Forum topic: What if London were a National Park City?

The following article by Richard McKeever is cross posted from Bowes & Bounds Connected

We have had previous contributions on the forum about the project to declare London a National Park City. This is a grassroots movement which has captured the imagination of the capital. Over 85% of polled Londoners and Mayor Sadiq Khan support the aims to connect more of us with nature, make the majority of London green and to celebrate living within a special habitat.

London is Europe’s greenest major city, over 47 per cent of the capital is green space and a further 2 per cent is blue. We’re home to 8.3 million trees, 3000 parks, 1000km of signed footpaths and over 13000 species, making Greater London the region with the highest number of different species in the UK.

Being a National Park City would help enhance and preserve London’s cultural and natural heritage, promoting the benefits of time spent in nature to our emotional, physical, economic and social health.  

The campaign has progressed well - with all of Haringey Wards declaring support. Could Bowes, Southgate Green and Palmers Green show some leadership in declaring support for this initiative in Enfield? As a community-led initiative, a Greater London National Park City would be privately and commercially funded. No public sector funding is needed - and so it will not cost the council anything. No planning powers are being asked for either. What is needed is simply community and political support.

For Southgate Green Residents the London National Park City initiative will be discussed at the Ward Forum on Tuesday, March 14th; please attend to show your support - or e-mail your councillors in advance of the meeting.